Apparatus for forming and securing wire hinges in metal boxes and boxparts



1,670,198 W. G. HUXTABLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND SECURING WIREHINGES May I5, 1928.

4 SheetS -Shet' l Filed May 24. 1926 mm mm N NN IlPl Ll IN METAL BOXESAND BOX PARTS .2... 8 m NW Qw mm m\ N)? Ewen Earn? 2% [Zy'azrz QM May15, 1928. 1,670,198 W. G. HUXTABLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING ANDsmcuame wma HINGES IN METAL BOXES AND BOX PARTS Filed May 24, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 2 jzveiz Z07 5 7 m/zz G. maid-Zia I228 '11; (02'1'. QQZZ32% Ja/flrw) May 15. 1928.

W. G. HUXTABLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND SECURING WIRE HINGES INMETAL BOXES AND BOX PARTS Filed May 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 a Wk /w m HIINa 24 g M gig/A n2 v Z, v w Mimi A\\= NN mw May 15, 1928. 1,670,198

W. G. HUXTABLE ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND SECURING WIRE HINGES INMETAL BOXES AND BOX PARTS Filed May 24, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .1; weizfans ITED STATE Patented May 15, 1928:.

- wILLIAMsEonGE H'UXTA L AND G NALD Esm -sc m, F ANS A, WALES.

Ar rAnAfrus'FoR mamas ANnsE o RInG Winn emees'mmemp Boxes Am) 0 rams, y

Application riled. m y .24, 1926. Serial no;

' "This invention" relates to apparatus, for forming and securing wirehinges'in'metal boxes and box parts and to apparatus for use in thattype of hinging wherein the. wire hinge'is inserted through holes madein a box body, for example, and a'lid or part is then attached bypassing a flange thereon between the hinge and the box and bending itover onto the hinge. lleretofore, wire hinges of theabov e kind havebeen-applied by a series of separate operations, some performed by handand others in separate machines, 'For example," the wirehas been cut tothe desired length,by hand or machine, therequisite'holes pu'nched'inthe box by another machine and the ends of the cut wire inserted in theholes by hand,- the flange of the lid being subsequently bent over byhand or byaifurther machine. It willbe understood that the presentinvention is not restricted to the hinging of metal boxes and box parts,butmay 'be used to hinge together metal vparts of variouskinds; I

1 According to the present' invention, a hinge is formedfrom a length ofwire and itsf'ends forced through the box" or part, without previouslypiercing the box or part. The ends of the hinge-are then clenched andsecured. Preferably the wholeof the operations 'oficutting the wire,forming it into a hinge, forcing 'it into the box or part and securingit are performed in a single apparatus and in one operation of theapparatus. The preferred apparatus comprises means for cutting a lengthof wire to correct length tofform a hinge,means for bendingi the ends.

of the out wire, means .for forcing 'the bent ends through'the box orpart, means'ifor bending or clenching the ends against the box or partand means ir'or'forming lugs'on the box or part for holdingthe hinge inposition and, if desired,'for forming an indentation to allow clearancefor the lid or the like. I i I A suitable apparatus "for carrying outthe invention "comprises a base on which a box holder and two slides aremounted, together with the necessary operating mechanism. One of theslides serves tocut the wire, to shape' it, and to hold it in positionfor forcing through thebox andto assist in forming the, necessary lugsforholding thehinge in position,"the other slide serving to force thewire through the box, The box holder also carries a further slide whichassists in the 111,434, and in Grea Britain ma 27, 1925.

piercing of the box the 'wireandalso in the clenching box. I

The apparatusmay be pedal orby power.

,of the wire ends. against the operated by hand,-

To enable the invent1on'to'be fully 'unders'tood itwill now be describedby refer- 'ence' to the which':- I v v ig; Lisa side elevation "of oneform of apparatus suitable for carrying out the inaccompanying drawingsin vention, and I I Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof-with the top plateremoved; i I

Fig. 3-is a sectional elevation of a portion of the apparatus with theparts in the position shown in Fig- 1 and drawn to a larger scale, and II I Fig. 4 is ,a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the parts in positionat the finish of the oper- I'ation of forming and attachinga hinge to aox; v 1

machine with the top plate removed.

*Figs. 5-8 inclusive are sectional views Bi 4: s a, plan View. of p r fthe showing the various stages of operation of the apparatus. I

As shown, the apparatus. comprises a, slotted base plate 9 on which arearranged two slides 10, 11 mounted in the slot for independent and:combined movement and the base,'the stopla having a hole lfitherein toreceive thenecessary wire, andthe": into the] I stops beingspaced tocutthe wire correct length to be used. r I

A guide pin 11*,"mounted in the'slide 11, projects through a slot 10 intheslide 10.

adapted to co-operate-with a box holder as The .boX holder consists ofa. block 17 se" cured to the base over which a box A is placed (Fig;4:); and through which works a slide 18 against a spring 19, as shown.The slide I 18 carries across-piece .ZOslotted .at, 21 to receive twothin-projections 22 on "the block 17 and at the centre of thecross-piece a projecting spacer 23 is mounted for providing thenecessary clearance between. the inside edge of the wire and the boxbody and also for assisting in forming the indentation in the box.

The end 24 of slide 10 is shaped to hold the wire in position whenpiercing the box.

Beneath the base plate a lever 25 is piv- "oted'carrying pivoted stops26,27 which project upwards through-openings in the base into the pathsof the various slides. A roller 28 on the lever 25' engages a cam 29 onthe underside'of the slide 10 and the :lever is normally held inoperative "position by a weight 30, as shown in Fig. l. I

For operating the apparatus a lever 31 is pivoted to one endgof the baseand is linked .to the slide 10 by links 32, the slide 10 being held by aspring 33. Thus fifthe lever 31 leased, the slide the latter having pins36 thereon "which ,move inslots 37 in the base plate; The'pins 34 arepivotally mounted in the slide and the slots 37 are substantially Lshaped. With this arrangement the pins 36 bear on the slide 11 so thatthe slides 10 and 11 can be advancedtogether towards: the box 1 holderuntil the slide 11- is checked by the box. 1 At this point the pins36pass into the right-angled portions of the slots 87, allowing the slide10 to continue its movements alone. v This position of the pins 36 isshewn in Fig. 4

The .operation ot' the above-described apiparatus is as follows':

A box body A is placed over the holder 17 with its edge behind thespacer 23 (Fig. 4) and a wire C is fed through the hole 16 in stop 14until it meets the stop 15 (Fig the stops 26,27 being in the position sewn .in Figs. 1 and 3. t q, 7 I

The lever 31 is then movedin the direction of the arrow B, Fig. 1. Thiscauses the slides 10, 11 to move towards thebox, the end,13 of slide 11cutting off the wire and bending it round the stop 2'2v which is. rec-Q-tangular, in cross-section, and acts as a former (Fig.6), the end 24of slide 10 meeting the cut wire. The motion of the slide 11 is nowarrested by theboxand the pins 36 having entered therightangled portions:of the slots .37 (Fig. 4 further movement "of thelever 81 causes theslidevlQ to move forward and at the same time the cam 29 depresses thelever and withdraws the "former 27, the stop 26, however,remaining inposition and holding the slide 18 of the holder against movement. As theslide 10 movesfit carries the shaped wire and on reaching the box, inconjunction with the stationary slide 18, forces the ends of the wirethrough the box (Fig. 7). The ends of the. wire pass through the box andthrough the slots 21 in the cross-piece 20 into engagement with theprojections 22 on the block 17.-The slots-21- are-shaped to 10 slightlyspread the ends of the wire apart for the final clenching'operationagainstt'he projections 22, as shewn'in Fig. 7 Further movement of thelever 31 causes the stop 26 to be'wlthdrawn (Fig? 4:) allowing the slide18 tomove back against its spring, the'two' slides 1 0,11 movingtogether again as'the end of the slot 10 engages the pin 11* andperforming the final clenching operation,

bending the ends of the wire against the stationary projections 22. Atthe same time the lugs or upset portions 40 in the box body for securingthe hinge are formed by the cooperation of the end 13 of slide 11 andthe block .17 and also if, desired: the usual indentation 41 toallowclearance for the lid (Fig. 8

It i l be understood that all the above operations take place duringjOperating.

stroke otthelever i-ll. ''When the lever'is released theivari'ous partsreturn automati cally to the position shewn in Fig. 1, ready for furtheroperation. The'wire may be fed int-othe apparatus by hand or by'any Isuitable mechanical means from a reel or not as desired. I If The endsof the various slides and the spacer piece may be shaped to form anydesired lugs, upsets orindentationson the box during the operation.

Obviously, the apparatus"may adapted for metal boxes of various sizesand also for forming and securing hingesinjmetal'parts .otherthan boxes.

Having thus described saidinvention and the bestmea'ns we know.ofcarrying the same into practical effect,

lagging machine I for metal. boxes and in combination, a base platehaving a slot therein, a work holder, two slides mounted in: the slot inthe base plate. for independent and combined l'movement', means forreciprocating the slides, a wire holder, a lever pivoted: beneath thebaseplate, stops pivoted on the lever, one stop being shaped as a,wire-former, the base plate having openings through which the stops areprojectible into the paths of the slides, and means. carried by oneof'theslides for oper ating the lever to, move the stops. i

2. In a hinging machine formetal' boxes:

and incombination, a base plate having a slot therein, a workholder, ablock'secured .tp the base,'ags lide in said block, means nor; mallyresisting movement. of the slide, two slides mountedin the slot in thebase plate for. independent and combined movement, means forreciprocating the slides, a wire holder, a lever pivoted beneath thebase plate, pivoted stops on the lever,'one stop the nature of ourbeing, shaped to act asv a wire former, the base plate'having openingsthrough which the stops normallyproject into the pathso'f v other ofsaid p i of slide ,,y lab i ea the slides, and means carried by one ofthe slides for actuatingthe lever to. withdraw said stops. p i l,

3. In a hingingmachinefor metal boxes and in combination, ,abase,platel'iavinga slot therein, a work holder block secured to the base, aslide in said bloclg neans normally resisting movement of the slide, two

slides mounted in the slot in the base plate for independent andcombined movement,

means for reciprocating the slides, .two

spaced stops on the base plate between which a wire may be fed and whichdetermine the correct length of wire to be used, one of said stopsacting as a wire holder, a lever pivoted beneath the base plate, stopsassociated with the lever, one of the last-named stops being shaped toact as a wire former, the base plate having openings through which ,thelast-named stops normally project into the paths of the slides, andmeans operable by the movement of the slides for actuating the levertowithdraw thelast-named stops.

4:. In a hinging machine formetal boxes and in combination, a base platehaving a slot therein, a work holder block secured tothe base, a slidein said block, means nor 7 mally resisting movement of the sli de, aslotted cross piece on said slide, a spacing mem-l her on the crosspiece, said block having pro- I 'j'ections adapted to enter the slots inthe cross piece, a wire holder, a wire former movable into and out ofposition between said wire holder and said spacing member, two slidesmounted in the slot in the base plate for independent and combinedmovement, one slide having an end sh'apedpto' cut a wire held by saidholder and bend it around said former, means for reciprocating saidlast-named slides, astop movable into and out of engagement with saidfirstnamed slide, and means normally holding said former and said stopin operative position, said holding means comprising means operable bythe movement of said lastnamed slides in one direction to move saidformer and said stop out of operative position; I v Q 5. In a hingingmachine for metal boxes I and in combination, a base plate having alongitudinal slot and a pair'of substantially L-shaped slots in advanceof said longitudinal slot, a work holder block secured to the base, aslide in said block, means normally resisting movement of said slide, aslotted cross pieceon said slide, a spacing member on the crosspiece,'the block having projec tions adapted to enter the slots inthecross" piece. a pair of superposed slides movable in the slot in thebase plate, links pivotally mounted on the underside of the upper one",oi'said pair of slides, pins carried by said links. piss-a d;pins-having; ne end ,iv rkin g i in zone o the Leshaped slots the baseplat and. its other e991,; lgeg eg th orma ly o d g s id uppers de iretract ed p it on, mea s for movmgislald uppere s ide rdly, a WiIeholder, a lever pivoted beneath the base plate,'i stops calfiedby saidlever,.the base plate having openings throughwhichsaidstops'projectQinto' the t i path of movement ofsaid slides,mealis nor mally holding said lever in position with one of saidstops inengagement with a base plate having a longitudinalslot and g a pluralityof substantially L-shaped slots, 7 i

a work holder block secured to the'base, a slide in said block,yieldable means normally resisting movement of said slide, a cross pieceon said slide having substantially longitudinal slots shapedto guide theends of a wire hinge forced therethrough, a spacing member on the crosspiece, saidblock having projections adapted to enter, the slots in thecross piece for clinching the ends of the wire, two superposedslidesmounted in the longitudinal slot in the base plate, a formermovable into and out ofposition between said first-named slide and saidlast-named slides, one end ofthe lower slide being shaped to out andbend a Wire; round said former and cooperative with the work the workholder, one end of the upper slide. being shaped to force thebent-wireinto thework, links 'pivotally mounted on-the un dersideottlieupper of; said superposed slides, a pin carried by each ofsaid'links bearing against'the lower of said superposed slidesand'working in one of thejL-sh'aped slots in the base plate, means forreciprocating the upper slide, spring means associated with theupperslide and the base plate and normally preventing movement of saidslide, a wire holder, a lever pivotedbeneath the base plate, stopscarried by the lever, the

base plate having openings through which the stops project, meansnormally holding I said lever in raised position with one of said stops,inengagement with said first-named slide, and cam means associated withthe upper slide a ndtengaging said lever for depressing the lever as thesuperposed slides are movedtoward said first-named slide.

7 A hingingmachine' for metal boxes.

comprising a base plate having a slot, two

superposed slides mounted to reciprocate in said slot both independentlyand together, a work holder, a wire holder, and means on the workholder, cooperating with the ends of the slides during reciprocation ofthe latter for cutting a wire into properlength to 100 Y holder tosuitably shape a box supported by a ing it intdan article, andelinchingi-its'ends lintoi said-lartie1e;-jsubstantizilly as described;

8. hingingpmachine for mnetal boxes comprising a- -hase plate having aslot; two

superposed slide's mounted to reciprocate in thesl'ot independently andtogether, a wire.

hqlder, it Work holder haying a slide, a; series of steps projectibleabove the basefplate during a' portion of the movement of the v names tothis specification.

siiperpos'ed slides, one Of said stops adapted toj eng'tge'a'ndrheldsaid first-named slide against movement and theother to extend into thepath of movementof SRldjSUP61- posed slides and cooperating tvith saidsuperposed slides to, forma hinge from alwire held by, the wireholderygand means'on the \vorlrholder co-operating with the ends-Ofthesuperposed slides in the movement of the latter in one direction toforce the ends of article adjacent to the ends of the Wire. 1 Intestimony whereofwe'have signedour WIL IAM. GEORGE HUXTABL'E.

EGINAL ERNEST OLD.

